419 scam: "Mariam"<mrs_mamam@yahoo.com> Support My Family

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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

The so-called "419" scam is a type of fraud dominated by criminals from Nigeria and other countries in Africa. Victims of the scam are promised a large amount of money, such as a lottery prize, inheritance, money sitting in some bank account, etc.

Victims never receive this non-existent fortune but are tricked into sending their money to the criminals, who remain anonymous. They hide their real identity and location by using fake names and fake postal addresses as well as communicating via anonymous free email accounts and mobile phones.

Keep in mind that scammers DO NOT use their real names when defrauding people.
The criminals either abuse names of real people or companies or invent names or addresses.
Any real people or companies mentioned below have NO CONNECTION to the scammers!

Read more about such scams here or in our 419 FAQ. Use the Scam-O-Matic to verify suspect emails.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
This email uses a separate reply address that is different from the sender address. Spammers use this to get replies even when the original spam sending accounts have been shut down. Also, sometimes the sender addresses are legitimate looking but fake and only the reply address is actually an email account controlled by the scammers.
The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "million dollars" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
- "attorneys " (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "mariam abacha" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
- lawblackwell@aggies.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
- me through my uk attorneys email; lawblackwell@aggies.com compliments of the day to you! due to the sudden death of my husband (Aggies; can be used from anywhere worldwide)

Fraud email example:

From: "Mariam" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <lawblackwell@Aggies.com>
Date: Fri, 16 Oct 2009 00:16:08 +0800
Subject: Support My Family

CONTACT ME THROUGH MY UK ATTORNEYS EMAIL; lawblackwell@Aggies.com

Compliments of the day to you!

Due to the sudden death of my husband General Abacha the former head of
state of Nigeria in June 1998, I have been thrown into a state of
hopelessness by the former and present administration. I have lost confidence with
anybody within my country. I got your contacts through personal search,
and had to reach you through this medium. My lawyer will give you more
details when you reply. Due to security network arrangements I can not travel
out of Nigeria presently, so, this is why I have contacted you.

You may check out information about my assertion; LOOK THIS UP;
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/468903.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/2492425.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/4271245.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/3168197.stm

My husband deposited over $750.6 million dollars with security firms,
abroad whose name is witheld for now till we are sure and confident of
your commitment. I will be happy if you can receive some of these funds and keep
it safe through investment for us. I assure you to keep a good percentage of this
fund for yourself. I will need you to reply to me or through my lawyers.
In your reply, ensure to include your telephone numbers numbers so that my Attorneys
in the United Kingdom can commence communication with you.
Please reply asap with your personal details and if any questions.

You may contact me directly here; mrs_mamam@yahoo.com

My kind regards,

Mrs. Mariam Abacha
DISCLAIMER: This e-mail message and any attachments are confidential
and may be privileged or otherwise protected by legal rules, and for use
by the addressee only. If the message is received by anyone other than
the addressee, please return the message to the sender and delete it
and any attachments from your computer without copying it or disclosing
its contents to anyone. Whilst all reasonable care has been taken to
avoid the transmission of viruses, no responsibility is accepted in this
regard and the recipient should scan and carry out such other checks as
it considers appropriate.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam